Sat13November1123AM 8

The following drugs are used to inhibit the platelet adhesiveness.

Whichof the following drugs would be the best choice if a rapid offset were a key consideration?

(Please select 1 option)

Tirofiban

Paclitaxel

Epoprostenol This is the correct answer

Clopidogrel

Aspirin Incorrect answer selected

Explanation

Epoprostenol (Flolan), also known as prostacyclin, has a half life in vivo of around 42 seconds. It is sometimes used as an "anticoagulant" during renal replacement therapy and inhibits platelet activation.

Aspirin non-specifically acetylates cyclo-oxygenase enzyme in the platelet, reducing its ability to synthesise pro-thrombotic eicosanoids. Clopidogrel inhibits ADP-mediated platelet activation. Since both of these drugs act irreversibly they are incorrect options here.

Paclitaxel is used in drug-eluting coronary stents to prevent restenosis due to formation of a neointima secondary to the deployment of the stent. It is long acting and so the answer is incorrect.

Tirofiban is a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor. Though the answer is incorrect in this example, after epoprostenol it has the next shortest duration of action and is given by infusion in the context of acute coronary syndromes.

Answer Statistics

1

43%

2

5%

3

42%

4

5%

5

7%

Times answered: 245